Recently one of our Masters Giovanni Azzara let us know he was the new Editor for the Italian Figure Magazine Soldatini. He also let us know it was now available as an emag. Emags are an electronic copy of a paper magazine easily read on your computer or tablet / Ipad. They can be read on smart phones or I phones or anything able to read online content. Handy in so many ways for saving space, being portable, allowing you to take a library with you on business trips, vacations, or accompanying your significant other on shopping trips.

I set out for Omaha last Monday and after a short stint at the inlaws we arrived on Wednsday. Thursday morning with registration completed the fun began. The kids hit the make and take tables and I headed for the model room. By the end of the day Friday nearly 2500 models had been placed and the competition was stiff. I met up with Joe(Leopard2) and we had a short talk and on Saturday we talked to Bob and Susan Letterman, but didn't get a picture. I spent two days doing recon of the vendor rooms, which there were three, packed to the walls. Waited until Saturday to do my buying and I am proud to say I didn't pay full price for anything. It was lets make a deal time. I will post pictures of my treasure in the near future. I took a lot of pictures, but not of everything just too many models. I will be posting my pictures in their proper forum soon. Saturday evening we attended the awards dinner where many awards were given out one being to the Region 5 director my good friend Kelly Quirk.

We took the kids for their first formal dinner and had a great time.

But the best part was that my kids took top honors with their models. My daughter Victoria took a first place for her Airbus model.

My son Curtis got a first place for his Star Trek Enterprise-E.

I managed a third place with my sherman walker. The main thing is that we all had a great time and we are all looking forward to the next time we can attend the nationals.

I realize this isn't really new kit news or the like-- but I am finding this to be a real awesome and useful tool...sort of like a reference book . I know Bob just got a Droid and while I can't find any information on whether it is available there, there may be something like it worth looking for.

It is a free app-- but can be purchased if you want to avoid the ads (although I don't seem to even see them anyways!). Now on to what is included...forgive my attempted screen pics...I don't know how to capture a screen shot on the Touch or if it is even possible so I used my camera.

First off are the color charts...there are color charts of the following:

Hobby Link International has released their first magazine, HLI's Model Builder International which has a unique approach to delivery. One can get an electronic subscription or printed media. I was offered a chance to look through the electronic magazine.